Respiratory filter



29, 1 J. B. BIEDERMAN 2,219,801

RESPIRATORY FILTER Filed Nov. 50, 1939 fizz/Erato);

Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RESPIRATORY FILTER Joseph B. Biederman, Cincinnati, Ohio Application November 30, 1939, Serial No. 306,863 2 Claims. (01. 128-148l The present invention relates to respiratory filters of the type adapted to be placed inside the nostrils of the patient, where they may retain a medicament which is inhaled by the user.

In the treatment of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, hay fever and similar ailments,it is desirable that the patient be provided with a filter and frequently an inhalant which is constantly available so as to filter and medicate the breath of each inhalation. For this purpose various masks and similar devices have been provided, but such nasal or facial masks are unsightly and the patient does not readily accustom himself to their use, especially in public places. For this reason the present invention is directed to a filter which may be inserted into the nostril where it is entirely concealed, thus relieving the user of all embarrassment, while at the same time giving him the full benefit of such use at all times. In viewof the fact, however, that individual noses difier in size and the nostrils difier accordingly, it has heretofore been necessary to provide numerous sizes of such filters in order to meet the various demands. My present device adapts itself readily to noses of various sizes and therefore it becomes unnecessary for the dealer to carry an assortment of sizes of the device. The principal object is therefore to provide a respiratory filter of the type mentioned which adapts itself readily to noses of varying sizes.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description thereof. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view looking upwardly into a nose provided with respiratory filters made in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective of the nasal filter as adapted to receive the respective ends of a spring spacing plate 4. The end pieces I and 2, as well as the plate 4, are constructed of some non-cor- Each of said end pieces is provided with inturned flanges 3, forming grooves which are rosive metal, such as sliver, of suitable rigidity and in the case of the plate 4, of a certain springy quality.- The inner sides of the end pieces between the grooved flanges 3 are provided with studs 5 which are adapted to engage in apertures 6 near the ends of plate 4, thus retaining the parts in assembly. The end members I and 2 are provided with fingers 'I which extend inwardly and substantially parallel with the plate 4 when the parts are in assembly. The fingers I, cooperating with the members I and 2, areadapted to hold in the device a quantityof cotton or other suitable material 8 which is saturated with the desired medicament. Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 illustrate various sizes of plate 4, each being provided as shown with end apertures 66, any one of which plates may be used in connection with the end members I and 2, the parts being readily separated and reassembled with the desired plate 4 inserted.

In Figure 3 a modified form of the device is shown, wherein instead of the plates 4 of varying sizes, the end member I is provided with fingers 9, which are provided with grooves Ill and spaced perforationsv II and the end member 2 with-fin-' gers I2 which are provided with studs I3 adapted to engage in either of the perforations II. The end members I and 2 will'thus by reason of the telescoping. engagement of their respective fingers be adapted to adjustments, adapting the device to nostrils of various sizes. In this form of the device the fingers also work to' retain in the filter the filtering material such as lambs wool which may be saturated with a suitable medicament. An alternate form of this device would employ compression springs instead of telescoping fingers to secure the end members together and to effect their adjustability.

In Figure 4 the end members I and 2, as well as the plate 4, are provided with grooves I4, I5, and I6 which are in alignment when the parts are assembled as described in connection with Figure 1. permanently secured to the plate 4, if desired, as the'adjustability is provided by means of a flap or valve II of thin rubber or other compressible material which is provided with a central opening, the rim of which fits into the grooves I4, I5

and I6 as shown in Figure 4. When the device so constructed is inserted in the nostril, the flap on valve I'I serves toclose up all space surrounding the filter proper, thus adapting the construction to nostrils of various sizes.

From the foregoing description, the, nature, construction and use of my new respiratory filter However, the end members may be will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the same appertains. In either of the forms illustrated it is apparent that the device is readily adaptable to nostrils of various sizes and that when inserted it is arranged adequately to support a filtering material and/or a properly medicated wad of lambs wool or other similar material. It is obvious of course that numerous changes in details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure of my invention as above set forth; for instance as shown in Figures 8 and 11, the plates 4 may be provided with a plurality of openings 6, so that a single plate may serve for a number or all of the adjustments; in the form shown in Figure 4, the device may be provided with varying sizes of rubber flaps or valves and a single size framework to fit therein, thus adapting it to various sizes of nostrils, or a single size rubber flap may be provided with a plurality of elements as shown in Figures 1 and 2 adapted to fit therein. The specific arrangement of the grooves and per- Iorations in Figure 3 may also be modified as well as the means for securing the parts together as shown in Figure 2. All of such changes and modifications are within the spirit oi the above disclosure and within the purview of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A respiratory filter comprising end members adapted to fit into the nostril of a user, grooved flanges on each of said end members, an intermediate plate, and means whereby the end of said plate may be'secured removably in the grooves of said flanges.

2. A respiratory filter comprising end members adapted to fit into the nostril of a user, fingers carried by said end members and adapted to secure a pad therein, grooved flanges on each of said end members, an intermediate plate, and means whereby the end of said plate may be secured removably in the grooves of said flanges.

JOSEPH B. BIEDERMAN. 

